Chatham-Kent, Ontario*
ACCESS Open Minds Chatham-Kent was initially funded through a national research grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Graham Boeckh Foundation. We are also one of ten Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario sites that is funded through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Our site serves a small, urban centre and the surrounding rural areas. Chatham-Kent has a population of approximately 108,000 and it includes two First Nations communities. The youth hub brings together existing community partners who are committed to working in a new collaborative and innovative way, offering a “one-stop shop” for young people aged 11-25 and their families looking for mental health support.
For updated information on services please visit our page on Youth Wellness Hubs here.
-
COVID-19 Updated Services
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we continue to offer services virtually through phone and video. Please see our updated services below and be sure to follow us on social media for daily updates:
STEP 1) Contact our team
We encourage you to you call (519-437-6329) or email us (info@accessopenmindsck.ca) to book an appointment. If you leave a voicemail, one of our team members will get back to you as soon as possible to figure out how we can best support you.
STEP 2) Initial screening
After contacting our team, you will be scheduled an appointment to meet with one of our Peer Navigators/Research Assistants over the phone or through video. During your first meeting, you will discuss:
- What’s currently happening that led you to contact us
- What supports you currently have
- Areas in your life where you are looking for additional support
- The things you are working on right now
- The ACCESS Open Minds research and evaluation project (participation is voluntary)
- *Staff will also collect some demographic information with you at this time. Please have your health card with you.
STEP 3) Connecting to appropriate services
Typically, it takes a few appointments to collect all the necessary information required to connect you to the appropriate service(s). During this process, you will be given information about resources that you express interest in, and if these resources require a referral, our team will assist you through that process.
STEP 4) Follow up
Our team will stay in touch with you until you feel your needs are being met. You can also access Single Session counselling, available Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm on a first-come,-first-served basis.
-
Getting Help
STEP 1) Contact our team
Option A – We encourage you to you call (519-437-6329) or email us (info@accessopenmindsck.ca) to book an appointment. If you leave a voicemail, one of our team members will get back to you as soon as possible to figure out how we can best support you.
Option B – You may also drop in to ACCESS Open Minds to book an appointment. We’re located at 140 King Street West in Chatham and are open Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm.
STEP 2) Initial screening
After contacting our team, you will be scheduled an appointment to meet with one of our Peer Navigators/Research Assistants. During your first meeting, you will discuss:
- What’s currently happening that led you to contact us
- What supports you currently have
- Areas in your life where you are looking for additional support
- The things you are working on right now
- The ACCESS Open Minds research and evaluation project (participation is voluntary)
*Staff will also collect some demographic information with you at this time. If you have a health card, please bring it with you 🙂
STEP 3) Connecting to appropriate services
Typically, it takes a few appointments to collect all the necessary information required to connect you to the appropriate service(s). During this process, you will be given information about resources that you express interest in, and if these resources require a referral, our team will assist you through that process.
STEP 4) Follow up
Our team will stay in touch with you until you feel your needs are being met. You are also welcome to return to the drop-in hours if you need a space to talk to someone. In addition to our regular opening hours and array of other activities and services, our team also offers Single Session counselling, available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am – 11:00am and 1:00pm – 3:00pm on a first-come,-first-served basis.
-
Our Team
-
Markie
Administrative Assistant
-
Stephanie
Youth First Responder
-
Aaron
Early Intervention Nurse
-
Ashley
Peer Navigator/Research Assistant
-
Alex
Peer Navigator/Research Assistant
-
Chae
Peer Navigator/Research Assistant
-
Janice
Transitional Age Youth Case Manager
-
Megan
Promotions Specialist/Single Session Therapist
-
Rebecca
Clinical Coordinator
-
Jennifer
Early Intervention Nurse
-
-
News & Events
-
Service & Community Partners